Ridge cap

ABSTRACT

A roof ventilating ridge cap formed of molded fiberglass reinforced polyvinyl chloride and comprising a pair of elongated side panels oppositely inclined from a central peak. A transverse air flow passage is defined through the cap below the peak. The base of the passage is closed by a horizontal panel and baffled air paths communicate each side of the passage with the interior of the ridge cap.

United States Patent [1 1.

Markos Jan. 28, 1975 RIDGE CAP Primary Examiner-Ernest R. Purser [76] Inventor: Peter Markos, 281 NE 40th St., j .i i 7f FnfidmanD Ft. Lauderdale, Fla 33308 Imrney, gen 0r lrmenmson, ennlson,

Townshend & Meserole [22] Filed: July 23, 1973 [211 App]. No.: 38l,765. I 57 ABSTRACT A roof ventilating ridge cap formed of molded fiber- 52 us. c|. 52/1 99, 98/42 glass reinforced polyvinyl chloride and comprising a it. CL.7 p i of elongated Side panels pp y inclined m 58] Field of Search 52/57, r99, 98/42 a Central peak A transverse air flow passage is defined through the cap below the peak. The base of the pas- References cued sage is closed by a horizontal panel and baffled air UNITED STATES PATENTS paths communicate each side of the passage with the 3.236,]70 2/1966 Meyer et al 52/22 X interior of the ridge cap. 3,481,263 12/1969 Beiden v. 52/57 X I 3.625,l34 12/1971 Smith 98/42 8 Clalms, 4 Drawing Flgures and in fact enhances, the upward and outward flow of heated air which normally accumulates immediately below the roof and adversely effects the interior temperature of the entire house.

In conjunction with above object, it is also a highly significant object of the invention thatthevventing of the interior of the roof is effectedin a manner-which provides for a full protection of the interior.

Other advantages of the invention reside in the provision of a ridge cap which is attractive in appearance, easy to install, capable of economical manufacture, and long lasting under all weather conditions.

Basically, the objec'tsof the invention are achieved through the provision of an angularly formed cap molded of glass fiber reinforced polyvinyl chloride and including an elongated central peak and a pair of oppositely inclined side panels depending therefrom. A.

transverse passage is provided through the cap with the passage in turn communicated with the interior of the cap, and hence the interior of the roof, through a pair of lateral baffled or labyrinth forming air paths. The cap, for simplification of the manufacture thereof, can be formed in two separate sections.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings in which: 1

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view. of the ridge portion of a roof with a series of the ridge caps of the instant invention installed thereon;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the two components of the ridge cap;

FIG. 3 is an enlarge longitudinal cross sectional view through the ridge cap; and

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross sectional view taken substantially ona plane passing along line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral is used to generally designate the ridge cap comprising the invention. As will be appreciated from FIG. 1, a series of the ridge caps. ltl areapplied along the full, or at least a major portion of the ridge 12 of a roof, the ridge 12 having a cap underlying air passing slot 14 either cut therein subsequent to the construction of the roof or defined therein as the roof is being constructed.

The ridge cap 10 consists basically of a pair of substantially planar elongated side panels 16 oppositely downwardly inclined from an elongated central peak 18, the inclination or pitch of the panels 16 generally following that of the pitched roof sections 20 which combine to define the roof ridge 12. In order to provide for a convenient end overlap of the relatively rigid cap 10, one end of each cap is provided with a downstepped offset 20 which is overlapped by the opposite smooth end of an adjacent ridge cap 10, the offset of the edge portion 20 being approximately equal to the thickness of a panel 16 whereby a smooth continuity is provided between the adjacent ridge caps 10. It will also be noted that in the overlapping end of the ridge cap 10 appropriate countersunk nailing bosses 22 are provided fora securing of the caps 10 to the underlying roof structure, the cap panel 16 normally overlying the upper course of .roofing shingles 24 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

- A transverse passage 26 is provided through each ridge cap 10 centrally along the length thereof and downwardly spaced from the peak 18. This transverse passage 26 opens outwardly through equilateral triangular openings 28 provided in each of the panels. The base of the passage 26 is closed by a horizontal panel 30 which extends between and is integrally formed with the inclined panels 16.

At each of the opposed sides of the passage 26 a baffle defining tortuous or labyrinth air flow path 32 is formed. Each path 32 is formed by a first or inner vertical baffle or partition 34 extending downwardly from the peak 18 and in continuous contact with the opposed panels 16 to a point slightly above the passage base panel 30 leaving a first lower restricted opening 36.

A second outer vertical partition of baffle 38 parallels each baffle 34 in outwardly spaced relation thereto and extends upwardly from the passage base panel 30, in engagement with the opposed inclined panels 16, to a point downwardly spaced from the peak 18 and substantially above the lower edge of the corresponding baffle 34. In this manner, a second upward air flow opening 40 is provided.

As will be appreciated from FIGS. 2 and 3 in particular, the ridge cap 10 can, for manufacturing convenience, be molded in two sections, a large main section 42 and a smaller top section 44. The centrally located top section 44 includes that portion of the cap 10 which overlies the horizontal panel 30 of the passage 26 and cooperates therewith in defining the passage and the inner baffles 34.

The main section 42, to the opposite sides of the horizontal panel 30, has the panel 16 and peak, above the panel 30, and outward a short distance from the two baffles 38, stepped inwardly as at 46 a distance equal tion 44 on the main section 42 a smooth continuous surface is provided. The top section 44 will, in the finished ridge cap 10, be permanently affixed to the main section 42 to provide, in use, what can be considered a one piece ridge cap.

' Incidentally, it will be noted thatin the top section 44, the baffles 34 are inwardly set from the opposed sides of the panel portions 48 whereby, upon a seating of the top section 44 in its installed position, the desired baffle spacing is provided between the baffles 34 and 38, resulting in the aforedescribed tortuous air passages 32.

The finished ridge cap, preferably molded of fiberglass reinforced polyvinyl chloride, provides a unique means for venting an attic space or the like at the peak area of a roof. In operation, the transverse passage 26 through each ridge cap 10 acts in the manner of a venturi with the air moving therethrough creating in effect a suction so as to draw the heated air from the attic space through the baffled air path 32 to each side of the passage 26. By the same token, while the heated attic air can be easily drawn through the air path 32 for an exhausting exterior of the building and a corresponding cooling of the attic area, the action is in effect one way with no rain or the like being capable of entering into the attic area through the ventilating ridge cap.

It will be appreciated that changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A ventilating ridge cap mountable along and enclosing the ridge of a roof defined between a pair of oppositely pitched roof sections, said ridge cap having a closed top and including opposed side panels, a transverse opening through an intermediate portion of each panel, said openings being transversely aligned, a closed bottom panel extending between said side panels at the base of the openings, and baffles projecting upwardly from the bottom panel, said baffles being oriented along the opposite sides of the openings and bottom panel and extending between said side panels, said openings, bottom panel and baffles defining a through said ridge cap, said baffles terminating below the top of said side panels and defining laterial air path means through the opposed sides of the passage, said air paths means communicating said passage with the interior of the ridge cap between said panels laterally of the passage and constituting the sole means of such communication, said side panels, laterally of the passage, defining an open bottom for communication with the interior of an underlying roof.

2. A ventilating ridge cap mountable along the ridge of a roof defined between a pair of oppositely pitched roof sections, said ridge cap comprising a pair of substantially planar elongated side panels oppositely downwardly inclined from an elongated central peak, a transverse opening through each panel, said openings being transversely aligned and defining a transverse passage through said ridge cap, laterally directed baffled air path means to the side of the passage communicating said passage with the interior of said ridge cap between the panels, and a horizontal panel extending between said side panels at the base of said transverse passage, said horizontal panel being approximately as wide as said passage and closing the base of the passage between the side panels.

3. The ridge cap of claim 2 wherein said air path means is located to at least one side of said passage above the horizontal panel.

4. The ridge cap of claim 3 wherein said air path means comprising first and second laterally spaced baffles, said first baffle being sealed to and extending transversely between said side panels and projecting downwardly from the central peak, said first baffle terminating in spaced relation above said horizontal panel, said second baffle being sealed to and extending transversely between said side panels and projecting upwardly from said horizontal panel, said second baffle terminating in spaced relation below said peak.

,5. The ridge cap of claim 4 wherein said second baffle is located outward of said first baffle relative to said passage.

6. The ridge cap of claim 5 including duplicate air path means on both sides of said passage.

7. The ridge cap of claim 6 wherein said cap, inward of the second baffles and above the horizontal panel is integrally formed as a separate unit from the remainder of the ridge cap.

8. A ventilating ridge cap mountable along the ridge of a roof defined between a pair of oppositely pitched roof sections, said ridge cap comprising a pair of sub stantially planar elongated side panels oppositely downwardly inclined from an elongated central peak, a transverse opening through each panel, said openings being transversely aligned and defining a transverse passage through said ridge cap, laterally directed baffled air path means to the side of the passage communicating said passage with the interior of said ridge cap between said panels, said transverse passage being continuous and without internal restrictions between the panel openings, and a flat panel extending between the side panels and defining a closed base for said passage. 

1. A ventilating ridge cap mountable along and enclosing the ridge of a roof defined between a pair of oppositely pitched roof sections, said ridge cap having a closed top and including opposed side panels, a transverse opening through an intermediate portion of each panel, said openings being transversely aligned, a closed bottom panel extending between said side panels at the base of the openings, and baffles projecting upwardly from the bottom panel, said baffles being oriented along the opposite sides of the openings and bottom panel and extending between said side panels, said openings, bottom panel and baffles defining a through said ridge cap, said baffles terminating below the top of said side panels and defining laterial air path means through the opposed sides of the passage, said air paths means communicating said passage with the interior of the ridge cap between said panels laterally of the passage and constituting the sole means of such communication, said side panels, laterally of the passage, defining an open bottom for communication with the interior of an underlying roof.
 2. A ventilating ridge cap mountable along the ridge of a roof defined between a pair of oppositely pitched roof sections, said ridge cap comprising a pair of substantially planar elongated side panels oppositely downwardly inclined from an elongated central peak, a transverse opening through each panel, said openings being transversely aligned and defining a transverse passage through said ridge cap, laterally directed baffled air path means to the side of the passage communicating said passage with the interior of said ridge cap between the panels, and a horizontal panel extending between said side panels at the base of said transverse passage, said horizontal panel being approximately as wide as said passage and closing the base of the passage between the side panels.
 3. The ridge cap of claim 2 wherein said air path means is located to at least one side of said passage above the horizontal panel.
 4. The ridge cap of claim 3 wherein said air path means comprising first and second laterally spaced baffles, said first baffle being sealed to and extending transversely between said side panels and projecting downwardly from the central peak, said first baffle terminating in spaced relation above said horizontal panel, said second baffle being sealed to and extending transversely between said side panels and projecting upwardly from said horizontal panel, said second baffle terminating in spaced relation below said peak.
 5. The ridge cap of claim 4 wherein said second baffle is located outward of said first baffle relative to said passage.
 6. The ridge cap of claim 5 including duplicate air path means on both sides of said passage.
 7. The ridge cap of claim 6 wherein said cap, inward of the second baffles and above the horizontal panel is integrally formed as a separate unit from the remainder of the ridge cap.
 8. A ventilating ridge cap mountable along the ridge of a roof defined between a pair of oppositely pitched roof sections, said ridge cap comprising a pair of substantially planar elongated side panels oppositely downwardly inclined from an elongated central peak, a transverse opening through each panel, said openings being transversely aligned and defining a transverse passage through said ridge cap, laterally directed baffled air path means to the side of the passage communicating said passage with the interior of said ridge cap between said panels, said transverse passage being continuous and without internal restrictions between the panel openings, and a flat panel extending between the side panels and defining a closed base for said passage. 